Ferritin is the body's main protein that stores iron for later use. It is mainly found in the liver, spleen, red bone marrow and immature forms of red blood cells (reticulocytes) and circulates in the blood in small amounts, however, its concentration in the blood reflects the level of iron stored in the body. Low blood ferritin is therefore one of the first signs of iron depletion!
A person's haemoglobin or serum iron levels may be normal, but if an additional ferritin test is performed, a deficiency can be detected! This condition indicates that as long as there is enough, the body will function normally, but as soon as ferritin is depleted, anaemia will develop. It is an indication for the prescription of iron-containing medication. Prophylactic treatment is much better than treating a disease that has already started!
An increase in ferritin is of low diagnostic value, as it can occur as a result of acute or chronic inflammation.
However, one of the 3 stages of anaemia is indicated by a decrease in ferritin levels:
- Decreased iron reserve. No symptoms, normal haemoglobin, decreased ferritin
- Iron deficiency erythropoiesis. Haemoglobin begins to decrease, ferritin is absent or significantly reduced.
- Iron deficiency anaemia. Reduced haemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin.
In addition, ferritin levels need to be monitored during the treatment of anaemia, as they reflect the dynamics of the therapy.